Why Danaher Death Squad split up? | John Danaher and Lex Fridman

Lex Fridman Podcast full episode: • John Danaher: Grapplin...
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GUEST BIO:
John Danaher is one of the greatest coaches and minds in martial arts history.
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[@LexClips]

Full podcast episode: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4u1k3dtppahY7c Lex Fridman podcast channel: kzbin.info Guest bio: John Danaher is one of the greatest coaches and minds in martial arts history.

[@jacko9293]

“I’m not a particularly emotional person”. I hadn’t noticed John

[@pedrorivera8255]

No shit...

[@cdb0816]

@T S be nice

[@cdb0816]

@T S apology accepted. Thank you

[@robg5161]

Even Mr Spock is like "crack a smile mate ".

[@andrewr8144]

I thought he contradicted himself. He says he believes in ego driving competition. That is definitely emotion. What I think he meant is that he doesn't believe in certain emotions, but killer instincts are good.

[@loverofhumanity]

honestly danaher seems like a genuine person. He doesn't seem to care about his personal fame but just gets the joy out of seeing others reach success-the mark of a great teacher.

[@aplus1080]

Genuine? Calculated is the appropriate word.

[@maskedcreator4525]

I find it telling that nearly 2 million views on his appearance went down to less than 200k on his second. Most people dont enjoy listening to someone that is this intelligent, while also being so well versed in human behavior/interaction. I could be wrong, but it matches my everyday experience. Only so many of us find real value in listening to such a person speak, cause we actually listen, and we learn from it. It's not something everyone does ironically.

[@buddhastl7120]

It says a lot about Gordon and Danaher that most of the team would side with Gordon’s lil bro. It also says something about Gordon casting aside his lil bro in a time where their father past away. I couldn’t imagine abandoning him during that time. As for B Team, you don’t just split up from the absolute GOAT coach and grappler of no-gi without some serious reasoning to do so.

[@buddhastl7120]

@T S that’s a broad generalization. Most men do not abandon their younger siblings during the time of their father’s death.

[@jeffwalker5847]

is there a video I can watch where nicky talks about that?

[@buddhastl7120]

@T S LMAO. A weak man makes your statement. A weak man abandons their family in a time of death. A weak man abandons their younger siblings when the man of the house, the father, passes away. FOH with that BS. You’re weak AF trying to insinuate family means nothing. Family means everything. Strong men understand this. It’s why men provide. Weak boys make statements like you just did. Trust me kid, you’re the soft one. FOH with this warrior way BS. You probably don’t even touch grass. Also, not one person has ever said Nicky Ryan is unlikeable. Literally everyone in BJJ community, even ATOS and other teams love the kid. Gordon used to praise him. On the other hand, almost everyone in the community has something negative to say about Gordon. Even if some of it is an act. To insinuate Nicky is the toxic one there is laughable. Everyone split to B Team except Garry who has been with Danaher longer than Gordon has and is primarily MMA now anyways so made no sense to switch.

[@buddhastl7120]

@@jeffwalker5847 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnbXkqOimauGec0 Nicky Ryan doesn’t speak about it

[@joebeast15]

There’s a lot of rumors but no one knows for sure what the split between the Ryan brothers is. As someone that is close with his two brothers it’s very sad to me that two brothers could come to the point of not even being able to be in the same room as the other.

[@anotherfakereview4612]

Nicky Rod was a lot more blunt and honest about it. The death squad was support crew and training partners for Gordon. (not exact quote)

[@joebeast15]

So they were jealous? I heard it had to do with something between the Ryan brothers.

[@openmike2941]

@@joebeast15 Yup and look at the results Gordon made nicky rod look like a white belt still

[@childofibiza1]

​@@openmike2941 not last night at the UFC invitational

[@Kalernor]

Where has Nicky Rod talked about this?

[@anotherfakereview4612]

@@Kalernor A podcast on flograppling youtube

[@kentuckyblugrass]

I've never seen Danaher in anything but a rash guard.

[@TheGareth77]

He got married in one

[@elbaso12345]

i feel like JD doesn't know or isn't willing to say why they really left. i doubt its because he pushed them to hard and probably something a lot more personal then that.

[@Davidtheinfidel]

Oh he knows, but won’t say

[@ryu-ken]

It's their personal issues. Of course he won't reveal everything

[@MrSilus2000]

He’s talking about stagnancy and many superstar sports athletes already proved you don’t need somebody beating you down telling you you’re not good enough in order to progress towards the highest level

[@nortorius]

Lex cracking up at the end of this video when he says even love is temporary is hilarious for some reason

[@daledesroches2318]

Getting along like a house on fire is also a very British expression.

[@iainsprigman7614]

The discussion around the mentality of winning and striving for greatness - and the personal complications that come with that - remind me of Kobe. I would have loved to see Lex break down Kobe, no one could've done it better. RIP.

[@snap4565]

John seems to be all or nothing type of guy and that surprises me because I d think he is the cognisant type that chooses whatever works instead of sticking to an ideology. Many great athletes would had never been as great if they had not been who they are - Usain Bolt loves to party and did party the week before winning an Oly Gold medal, Mradona was a coke head, Jon Jones and so forth and so on. It just aint that simple

[@teacherdoug4438]

Well I wouldn't really want to coach a coke-head no matter how skilled he was. (Jon Jones IS also a coke head. He's probably high during his press conferences.)

[@victorcreed3]

From 2:50, starting with "You're not good enough" - it seems that John is accountable for creating the rift. Instead of employing all-or-nothing thinking, he should have employed a system of measurable deliverables in order to evaluate the progression of his athletes.

[@whystareatmyhighhair]

All or nothing makes greatness

[@EmbddedJiuSage]

But Bodoni and even the Notoroious Meregali stayed with Danaher and beared his "You are not good enough"

[@towhee7472]

@@whystareatmyhighhair Maybe sometimes.

[@fredcharlotte]

Seems like what he was doing was working a lot better than what they tried to go do by themselves. They went from superstars to not really winning shit, and the new guys who were brought in are already winning big.

[@genericereal]

@@whystareatmyhighhair Different people thrive under different teaching styles--you just don't really hear about the success stories coming from people who were in a more positive environment because, frankly, it's not as interesting.

[@jshotgaming2989]

Just the thought of you mentioning my country has me in awe! 🇳🇿 love the pod from New Zealand brother

[@liwang9682]

proud kiwis!

[@yodizzll]

I like John but I find this take disingenuous. he is making it sound like the split happened because certain members couldn't take his critiquing, which I have a hard time believing.

[@MozartificeR]

There seems to be a philosophical difference with one member of the B team obviously not liking the 7 day per week training schedule.

[@geoff873]

getting on like a house on fire is used in the UK.

[@jerm13088]

I have 4 brothers... sometimes I wana hug them and sometimes I want to punch them. I think people dont realize that Nicky was kinda in Gordon's shadow and wanted to leave and some followed him because they felt the same way. Kobe was known for being a jerk at times but was one of the best basketball players ever and had similar issues with teammates like Shaq. Jealously is also a factor.

[@finsimple4396]

Do you know them personally?

[@bruler7264]

@@finsimple4396he doesn’t have to.

[@finsimple4396]

@@bruler7264 To make some WILD assumptions that they split cause Nicky was jealous about being in Gordon’s shadow. Are you serious? 😂

[@tuntitommosille]

It seems to me like there was a group of students in DDS that didn't particularly enjoy Danaher's regimented instruction style and conversely Danaher didn't appreciate some of the students fooling around in class and not giving it their full attention. You can see the difference in the vibe if you look at footage from New Wave and B-Team today. Gordon and Nicky were clearly on the opposite sides of that divide and it sounds like there was some incident between them that was the final nail in the coffin.

[@Greedmeister32]

house on fire is uk term too. very popular. kiwis nicked it from us!

[@leviwallace9647]

Here we go again. We’ll add this to the list of kiwi stuff claimed by the poms and aussies. You’s are as bad as eachother😂

[@ShiNooBi1986]

Well you did birth NZ europeans and Aus Europeans sooooo European in the wind

[@H2Prince]

I think what we all mean when we say leave you ego at the door is : Be prepared to lose...and don't break someone's arm to win a 3 min roll. lol

[@sermonvault]

I like the poetry at the end...no reason to be embarrassed by it Lex

[@GiBJJIsForChildren]

super cringy, had no relevance to the conversation

[@MattJungleCat]

It's not JUST a New Zealand expression ("house on fire...")... It's an Australian expression too. We love our Brothers & Sisters from New Zealand (here in Australia). They are our family!

[@y0dasmydad]

We say it over here in the UK as well!

[@hegeliandianetik2009]

@@y0dasmydad Americans say it too, I suppose Lex just hasn't come across the expression

[@papa_pt]

@@hegeliandianetik2009 been here my whole life and never heard it. Maybe it's certain regions of the US

[@davidkingyogato1097]

We say it in Canada too ☺️

[@alexpadz]

The earliest use of the phrase dates back to 1741 in the History of Frederick II by Thomas Carlyle. He was Scottish, quite far from NZ and Australia I'm afraid.

[@flavorgainz7205]

There is so much to learn besides jiu-jitsu from Danaher

[@JoeHeine]

Like how to alienate your friends?

[@dariusandrei2850]

@@JoeHeineyou’re looking way too subjectively to this, people have different goals and understanding of life, just because Danaher doesn’t resonate with you doesn’t mean he’s a bad person or bad coach or whatever, it just means you two are incompattible but that doesn’t disprove his qualities

[@teepot4539]

Kia Ora John

[@BurkeTrue2]

Hhhmmmm! Seems like a very self-serving explanation of why the team broke up. They didn't want to be GREAT... enough! Smells like BS.

[@beaubellamy2999]

This is going to sound crazy but I think Gordon Ryan is indirectly responsible for the split. It isn’t difficult to imagine how maddening it would be to be a world champion and second best in your own gym.

[@tonygallagher7807]

Wow, you don't get a house on fire 🔥 big love from New York City, Sir John. Peace love & integrity 🇮🇪

[@NHParadox]

Lex has been on fire lately..

[@moorliam]

High level competitors don't leave because their ego is bruised by criticism or hard truths. There are the Bobby Knight, Joe Paterno's of the world and the John Wooden, John Madden, Pat Riley and Phil Jackson's. The must be willing to deal with improving and critique but so must the coach.

[@herb2078]

I thought “got on like a house on fire” was a commonly used term in all English speaking country’s 😂 it’s part of everyday speaking in England

[@samuelemeryjiujitsu]

What the hell does that expression "got along like a house on fire" mean?

[@zombiewack]

So what did happen in Puerto Rico?

[@yerallnobeds]

Haha it's like on Karate Kid when Daniel says to Mr Miyagi, 'This is all bullshit I'm going home man'.

[@RockomusiK]

We say got on like a house on fire aswell in Ireland, as a good thing 😂 Its like we got on similarly to the intensity of a house on fire. It sounds bad the more you think of it, but its not meant that way 😅

[@user-uk9er5vw4c]

Well John's new team ended up being the best

[@JSmooove98]

Aged like milk

[@rtasi2000]

how so ?@@JSmooove98

[@mattdavis5579]

Get on like a house on fire is a British saying to lol hahahaha

[@libbylepage2323]

The roof the roof the roof is on fire 🔥 😂

[@panosmitas9482]

Dan was calling Nicky still junior after being a legit contender and a black belt is what caused all this

[@TimCBuilders]

"Get along like a house on fire is such a great idiom" My friend's wife is Aussie and i got it from him.

[@Niighht]

John Danaher is like the Anunnaki from the movie Prometheus

[@samuelemeryjiujitsu]

Nicky Rod made such an interesting move to not train with John anymore.

[@chainyrabbit]

I thought "got on like a house on fire" was a normal expression? I'm from the UK, so maybe not????

[@slickdon1]

It’s funny because when you listen to John talk on tuf where he’s George’s coach you can tell how much he puts on the way he talks now

[@goatitisful]

I would love to see the B Team Bulls rejoin John Danaher.... just teach certain people how to do better on a teaj, or kick them out

[@amirkazemi2517]

Niki Rod needs to work on his technique - he’s reached the limits of just steamrolling people

[@michaelweb7416]

Greatest coach ever

[@robg5161]

Listening to Danaher I do think the B-Team will regret leaving him (maybe not Gordon). He does have that drive to want to make people better and B-Team do lack a 'Head Coach'.

[@olegwiththeknowledge1729]

Really? We are already seeing the beginning of his fall with the loss of B(oring)odobi and Oliver Taza. He had an edge a couple of years ago, everone is catching up and at the end only Gordon will be a succesful adept of Danaher. And even him will soon begin to fade.

[@blekmetal8140]

@@olegwiththeknowledge1729 Wtf are you talking about. Bodoni won the ADCC. Meregali is beating anyone on Gi and Gordon will beat again everyone on ADCC. Their technique is superior compare to anyone. Their instructionals (John and Gordon) are beyond perfect. I think you have never tried BJJ or you are just a newbie.

[@olegwiththeknowledge1729]

@@blekmetal8140 Bodoni loss is against Maranho is the beginning of his fall, wait and see. Meregali is by no stretch of the imagination a product of Danaher, and yes Gordon is great. Why do ad hominem fam? Respiond to the details and facts like a good boy.

[@rtasi2000]

aside from the bodoni claim, do you still stand by your prediction today ?@@olegwiththeknowledge1729

[@benjaminjacks1211]

Actually a British expression… hence kiwi “ house on fire”

[@jbb8261]

We’ll literally never get the real answer

[@gustoproxies2498]

EGO

[@Rex93241]

Reminds me of Brady and Bill. Greatness happens when you get humbled constantly, there has to be room for growth

[@spadasinuldeserviciu]

weak self positioning from John, he is implying that he is the path towards greatness and that any other alternative is an easier way through life. it is similar with michel jordan saying he is the best, which he never done. you dont say that, even if you are goat.

[@morganweller1491]

Yeah the Ryan brothers got it all wrong you're family I could never just not talk to my bro or sister

[@TheDOUBJT22]

Please make more All Attacks rashys 🇳🇿

[@celloyd4]

Does anyone have a play by play for a filthy casual for why they broke up? I’ll take any tidbits I can get - even if they’re completely biased

[@GiBJJIsForChildren]

Craig and Danaher made out after an open mat and it made things too awkward

[@davidjmcgree]

@@GiBJJIsForChildren say what

[@simonetumolo8249]

Love this man!

[@dougrussell1926]

Does he ever wear just a regular shirt?

[@TheGareth77]

No he even got married in a rashguard

[@teardropsonmyfallen]

It's definitely not John. We all know why DDS split up. Obviously some shit with Gordon and Nicky

[@The_Invisible_Man]

Bukowsky quote cringe.

[@towhee7472]

Up until about 3:18 I wondered.. why do I dislike John Danaher so much? Seen him on multiple podcasts, never figured out why he was such an unlikable man for me. Now I got it. He's the same type of guy like my old platoon leader. He believes he does you a favor, by telling you you're never good enough. No "Well done, take a break". "Fuck this old guy" is exactly what everyone else thought, too. Completely unrealistic approach to human psychology.

[@philipdru4782]

do the recreational class then not the competition class?

[@leviwallace9647]

And that’s why you will never be good enough😂

[@Jackthestripper]

Danahers not the sort of dude that gives vague advice, if he thinks you need to work on something he’ll tell you exactly what that is and why you should work on it

[@cdb0816]

There were plenty of “good jobs” and positive reinforcement. He’s highlighting one small part of a break up, not an entire and comprehensive coaching philosophy 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@slayerbot1394]

And thats why nobody will remember you

[@Emmanuel-sc6dg]

We Brits also say "Get along like a house on fire" 🔥

[@kajsilee]

I wish that B-team beats Danaher's guys one by one and show the world that you can have fun with it and still be the best.

[@taylorwollmancg]

Greed won.

[@jedsanford7879]

this dude just wears rash guards 24 7

[@behmma6216]

To many Chiefs and not enough Indians!

[@18Socrates18]

Autism is awesome ⚡️

[@user-dz4ty5tj7q]

Why is he wearing a rash guard?

[@SomeAftermath]

Man, you’re like 4 years late.

[@moseshanon7060]

So basically he’s sayin’ their Squad broke up because Gordon Ryan was like…🧔🏼‍♂️Ain’t nobody comin’ to see you Otis”?

[@ivanyonish]

Master, Coach, teacher they like a father.The students who are argued, fought,who gave a hard times to his masters,REMEMBER: SOON YOU ARE GOING TO BE BROKEN BY LIFE.

[@raywade8143]

Good to Ivan . that I wasn't wrong. Eventually u will be broken buy the lies. That's life .

[@ivanyonish]

@@raywade8143 Ur wings are broken, chicken wing 😁😁😁

[@raywade8143]

Thanks bud. One question why would you act like your my friend knowing the whole time your lieing. I ever did was help u. And trust u . why would u do this to me. I don't do anything to any one u know this. Why is everyone this way . my voices is to small it will never be heard . but hay at least u can say u help destroy peoples lives that a catchy title I guess. Please leave me alone . all of u

[@ivanyonish]

@@raywade8143 I look for u step by step . Never leave u alone.Chicken.

[@jamesleon2770]

Easy does it mate

[@moseshanon7060]

Why’d they cal themselves “Death Squad” if they didn’t actually fight & no one was scared of ‘em?

[@odinzraider591]

As a team they were running through the ranks beating most of the best nogi grapplers in the world. Not sure if they named thier team that, or if they were called that and it just stuck. But they were winning practically all their matches.

[@koifnen]

It's as close to death as can be but yeah it's true. It's not death and the real portrayal. There is no real life gladiators anymore. I guess war is the only thing now

[@Glenn056]

I mean they were much tougher than you that's for sure

[@GiBJJIsForChildren]

eddie bravo came up with the name and it stuck

[@lifelessgaming9240]

Honestly bro JJ is nasty man. If you use those submissions and don’t stop you will absolutely destroy limbs and you can hold a choke and kill someone like that too.

[@lindsay1971]

It's hard to put this succinctly but I will try, I think a more nuanced view into why people lost respect for Gordon isn't because he is on PEDs, because we know the majority of BJJ athletes are, it's that we know he could never enter the MMA USADA pool and experience the same level of success. However, some feel like he is owed the same GOAT status. Everyone knows it ends with a highlight video of him 30kg lighter with a dad bod getting punched in the face while he attempts a leg lock.

[@internetenjoyer1044]

Brit here, americans dont know what a house on fire means? yall weird

[@hegeliandianetik2009]

They do, just not Lex

[@moseshanon7060]

What’s it mean?

[@mrblonde1264]

I wondered about that,thought it was international vernacular

[@internetenjoyer1044]

@@moseshanon7060 just means getting on well with someone very quickly after meeting them

[@celloyd4]

@@internetenjoyer1044 can you draw out the analogy more? I got it from context that it’s a good thing, but I can’t piece the puzzles together on this one

[@tje8346]

Lex, please stop laughing at your own comments. It's making it impossible to listen to you

[@jamesleon2770]

He definitely talking bout Ricky Nod